Picking your photographer, it’s no easy task! So many variables, so many fears, its such an important part of your day so it’s not something you want to get wrong.
Let’s look at what to look out for, what to look for, what to avoid, and what should attract you!
1 – Personality is key!
Don’t go booking your photographer just because they have nice pictures! the vibe has to match, you have to gel! they are with you all day and they are so involved in your day . The last thing you want is someone rubbing you and your guests up the wrong way.
Have a chat with them on the phone before you commit! it will tell you everything you need to know.
2 – Remember your booking an experience, not a tradesman.
Booking someone just because “there work seems good” is not enough when its comes to weddings, you’re not looking for someone who can just “do they job” but more someone who can provide a positive experience to your whole day.
This all stems to getting to know your photographer a little from point 1! so have that chat, and make sure you feel you gel with them on all levels.
Do you feel they know what you want?
3- Reviews
This needs little explanation! do your research – look on Facebook/google for reviews, give them a search in the wedding scam groups to check they’re hasn’t been any past problems!
4- Are they interested in you?
I love chatting to any couple before they book, I want to get to know them a little and check I gel with them! it’s a 2-way street for me and if I don’t feel i’m a good match i’d be inclined to say maybe I’m not for you.
But some photographers out there will just send you a payment link after inquiring and not even so much entertain having a quick chat with you. You need someone who is invested in getting to know you when personality and “the match” makes up 60% of people’s decisions.
5 – Are they actively posting on socials?
Keeping my socials up to date gives my future couples re-assurance i am still in business, it shows off my work but also gives inspiration an idea’s to anyone who has booked me too.
But it also doubles up as letting my booked couples get excited about their own pictures!
I am proud and love all my work and love showing it to the world.
6 – Communication is key
There is nothing scarier than suppliers giving you cause for concern , from the get go I’m fast to respond to people from the first inquiry to after the wedding. I like to keep all my couples fully re-assured they have nothing to worry about it.
So if it takes a photographer 2 days to get back to you from your first enquiry it’s only going to get worse down the line and the last thing you want is that over hanging doubt about the photographer.
You need suppliers who value you as a client from the first communication to the last.
I have all my couples on WhatsApp so they can message me 24/7 about anything wedding related.
7 – Ask to see a full gallery
It’s very easy to hide behind a few pretty images on your socials and website but ask to see a full gallery to give you a goodover view – better still ask for “Their most recent gallery” or a gallery from your venue so they don’t fool you with the most impressive gallery.
Try not to be blown away by incredible marketing either and fancy looking websites, the best thing you can do is view an actual gallery this is what will tell you everything you need to know.
If you want something to compare to – have a review of one of mine(Enter any email address to get through) -> Click here
40% OFF ALL PACKAGES THIS WEEK
ALL DAY COVERAGE FOR £1100
8 – Make sure you read your contract
Firstly, make sure you get a contract in the first instance, the contract is to protect you both in the event of an issue, it’s the first thing you will need if you need to start a court/insurance claim too!
There is no excuse for any supplier let alone photographer to not provide you some sort of contract. It’s going to be the first thing you refer to if things go wrong.
Key things to check.
Timings – How long are they for?
Delivery – How long will it take to get your images?
Images – How many will you get?
Payment terms – When do you need to pay? and how much?
Cancellation policy – are they going to charge you full price if you cancel with in 12 months.
Hidden extras – Things like travel, distance, accomodation, licensing – confirm there are going to be no sneaky extras! check for things like (if the first dance is delayed you will be billed by X amount of £££)
9 – Cost/Budget – how much should I spend?
£500-£900 – Is a budget level of photographer
£900-£1300 – Is mid level/2-5 year’s experience
£1300-£2500 – Is more experienced (3-10 year’s experience)
£2500+ – Is more luxury and niche level.
How much you spend is down to you – but ensure the price matches the quality. if you find a photographer for £1500 – Have a shop around and see the quality of other photographers in that price range.
But more importantly check the experience matches the price , don’t spend £3000 on someone who has 4 reviews and looks like they attend 2 weddings a year.
10 – Look out for styled shoots
Firstly what even is a styled shoot? – A styled shoot is a fake wedding that’s been put together for the sole purpose of some pretty pictures.
Styled shoots are not bad they show a photographer who is interested in getting better , but during a styled shoot you have all the time in the world with others helping you pose and you are blessed with glamorous beautiful models.
But they are far from a real world wedding scenario.
Styled shoots are usually identifiable by a model’s being tagged in the post and the lack of seeing any guests or a bridal party.
This is where looking at a real gallery helps you identify what you will really get back from from your photos.
Like what you read so far, check out my pricing below and have a scan of my website. Maybe i could be the one for you.
✯ Pre-planning meetings via zoom/phone – Making your vision come to life
✯ Your personal online gallery – To share your images easily with friends
✯ 2-4 week turnaround for your gallery
✯ 400/700+ edited Images – And this is just a minimum! you will likely get much more!
✯ Coverage till after the first dance – To capture some of the bits of the day your least likely to remember!
I get it…it’s annoying when suppliers dont show there pricing
But to give you the best pricing possible, i would rather quote each wedding case by case.
(it’s just as annoying for me too – but i’d rather price each wedding fairly and competitively)
Some weddings are near by, some midweek, some shorter.
Find your package below and then fill out the form and i’ll get back to you with in with in 12 hours.
But I just want a ball park cost? Expect around £800 – £1700 depending on date/location/package choice but for an exact price fill out the below form.
The important bits
Half day coverage – Digitals
✯ All of the above
✯ 6 Hours Coverage from bridal prep till speeches or ceremony till first dance (You decide)
✯ 400+ Images
✯ Pre wedding consultation chats
✯ Full private online gallery
✯ All images digitally delivered
Price on request
All day coverage – Digitals
Most popular
✯ 10 Hours coverage to cover all aspects of the day
✯ 2 Photographers (On special offer till end of September )
✯ Coverage from bridal prep till a little after first dance
✯ 600+ Images (and likely more!)
✯ Pre-wedding consultation chats
✯ Full gallery delivered via private only gallery
✯ All images digitally delivered
✯ Covers Bridal prep/ceremony/family/couple shots/first dance/some of the evening fun (Everything you need)
On offer this September –
*Booking must be confirmed with in 4 weeks of enquiry
Price on request
All day coverage + Digitals & album
✯10 hours coverage from bridal prep till evening celebrations
✯ 500+ Images (and likely more!)
✯ Pre-wedding consultation chats
✯ Full gallery delivered via private only gallery
✯ Covers Bridal prep/ceremony/family/couple shots/first dance/evening fun (Everything you need)
✯ Includes 25x25cm 20 page Album designed and delivered
On offer till end of September-
*Booking must be confirmed with in 4 weeks of enquiry
Price on request
Diamond package
All day coverage + Digitals + Album + Extra Photographer
✯ All day coverage from bridal prep till evening celebrations
✯ 2 Photographers on the day to capture more
✯ 800+ Images (and likely more!)
✯ Pre-wedding consultation chats
✯ Pre-engagement shoot
✯ Full gallery delivered via private only gallery
✯ Covers Bridal prep/ceremony/family/couple shots/first dance/evening fun (Everything you need)
✯ Includes Upgraded 30cmx30cm 40 page Album designed and delivered
✯ Canvas print of your chosen photo
On offer till end of September – save £600
£2200 £3000
£375
From £275
£250
Get some practice in before the wedding and enjoy a preshoot + 50 images to download
From £955
I have teamed up with a fellow videographer to deliver a discounted rate on video packages when combined with a photo package
Having 2 companies each specializing in their own field will deliver the best results for your special memories
I have hidden this amongst text for a reason.
Couples who go the effort of wanting to know as much about me as possible are the sort of couples i love the most!
The one’s who want to know as much as possible about there photographer for there big day as they know it’s a big decision for them!
So here is a special treat for you – Enjoy £100 off your booking just write “I read your stuff” when you inquire and i will apply the discount to your booking if you decide to go ahead.
It’s just a sweetener to say thanks! as you are the type of couples i love to work with! :)
